By: Emilie Jenson 

Public Information Coordinator 

The Iowa Central Men's and Women's Rodeo Team finished their regular season of competition last weekend at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. The year end results of the Great Plains Region standings have been released. The Triton men finished third in the region and the women placed fifth. Head Coach Bridget Coleman was also named the Great Plains Region Coach of the Year.

Coleman received Regional Coach of the Year for the sixth time in her career, which automatically qualifies her for National Coach of the Year consideration. Coleman was the 2023 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Coach of the Year. She was Great Plains Coach of the Year in 2012, 2013, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023.

The coach of the year is selected by event directors and team captains and the coaches in the Great Plains Region.

"To be coach of the year means a lot," said Coleman. "Our team may not have finished as strong as we would have liked, but it is not just about how your team finishes in the standings. It is a great honor to be recognized for Coach of the Year; I was a little shocked, surprised, and ecstatic all at once for this accomplishment."

The Tritons qualified five individuals for the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, WY in June.

Drew Lind was regional champion in bareback riding, earning a spot at the College National Finals Rodeo

Cash Owens was the regional champion in saddle bronc riding, his brother Cody Owens also earned a nationals bid in saddle bronc, finishing third in the region.

Rachel Werkman finished third in the Great Plains Region, securing a nationals bid in barrel racing. Sage Vance qualified with his tie for third place in the region in bull riding.

"We faced some tough teams in competition, it really came down to the very last rodeo for us this year," said Coleman.

The Great Plains Region consists of 16 schools including Bismarck State College, Black Hills State University, Buena Vista University, Dickinson State University, Graceland University, Iowa Central, Iowa State University, Lake Area Technical College, Mid Plains Community College, Mitchell Technical College, North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, Southeast Community College, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture and University of Wisconsin River Falls.

The College National Finals Rodeo will take place June 9-15 in Casper, WY.